2007 Season Review: Seth Bergman

Seth Bergman continued to live his dream in 2007, competing in the inaugural NSCS season each and every night. After winning Rookie of the Year honors in the 2006 expectations were high for Seth and the Steven Bergman owned Corridor Electric team at the beginning of the season.

The native of Snohomish, Washington completed the 2007 campaign, which was his second full season with 360 Winged Sprints, with 11 Top-10 finishes, and 5 Top-5 finishes. It was a season of frustration for all involved, with the team putting in inconsistent performances due to a problematic chassis. When the new rebuilt race car hit the track in late August the team didn’t finish outside the top 10 in any remaining race.

“It was a very tough year as far as everyone is concerned,” said Seth. “There were a lot of miles traveled and a lot of races raced. Having car problems up until late August was very frustrating, but I was happy with the way we ran once the new car was built.”

Competing nearly 30 times against the best sprint car drivers in the pacific north west, Bergman continued to gain priceless experience and his confidence has continued to rise due to more seat time.

For the second consecutive season, Seth’s father Steve, who is a former stock car driver, served as the team’s crew chief and engine builder. 2007 was the first season where the team had to deal with a number mechanical issues, but once the new car was built late in the season the teams engines were fast countless nights in time trials, right out of the box.

“He is very important to this team,” said Seth of his father’s involvement. “Unfortunately we put a lot of strain on him. He builds the motors and he is the crew chief and he has to run the truck and trailer down the road. When you are a family run team like we are, you take advantage of a couple of guys and my dad just happens to be one of them. He works for nothing and he works his butt off.”

As the 2007 season wound down, Seth and his team experimented on some different set-ups in preparation for 2008. In the series final visit of the season to Yakima Speedway in September, he continued to show his improved performances by finishing 3rd on the opening night as he ran with World of Outlaws race winner Shane Stewart. A second night puncture forced Bergman to finish the A Main in 10th after running the majority of the race at the front with Stewart, and eventual NSCS champion Roger Crockett.

With another season under his belt, 2008 will no doubt be Bergman’s calling out. With a new car, and an eager team behind him it is time for the young Washington driver to step up to the next stage and show the rest of the country that he truly is one of the most talented young drivers in the country.